I'll Fly Away is possibly today's most popular gospel song, having received international exposure in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss's recording of I'll Fly Away is one of the gems to be discovered on the CD of the music from the sound track, and has given the song renewed popularity in bluegrass and old time music sessions.

The mandolin break below is in the key of G, a common jam session key. The break initially utilises double stops which mimic vocal harmonies. Then, into the second half of the break, bars 9 - 12 (counting from the double bar line) are borrowed from Scruggs-style banjo, and the break finishes with Monroe influenced licks. Play at medium pace, e.g. half-note = 104-112, with more swing than in the MIDI playback of the tab.

I hope you'll be able to get some ideas from this tablature to help you create your own break in whichever key you sing I'll Fly Away.